Across the Nation

Drug search turns up container with frozen body at hotel

March 09, 2008

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Police discovered the body of a woman packed in a large container with dry ice in a hotel room as they were serving a search warrant in a cocaine investigation, authorities said Friday.

Detectives found the fully clothed and "well preserved" body Thursday after arresting a guest at the Fairmont Newport Beach for investigation of selling and possessing cocaine on hotel grounds, police Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

When they searched Stephen David Royds' room, they found the body inside a container filled with dry ice, he said.

Investigators were trying to identify the woman, who appeared to be in her 20s or 30s. It wasn't clear how long she had been dead.